Locking device for a bicycle

Abstract

Locking device (100) of a bicycle comprising: • - a central shaft (1), rotating around its longitudinal axis, • - an external body (3), stationary, • - an element (2) of engagement between the shaft (1) and the external body (3) in which the shaft (1) and the element (2) are configured in such a way that, in a state of activation of the locking device (100), they are in a position of engagement with each other, while in a deactivation state of the locking device (100), they are in a non-engagement position from each other; • - an actuation device (16, 17) connected by means of electric cables to an electronic control means, and • - a rotation locking element between the device (100) and the bicycle frame. A permanent magnet (16) integral with the external body (3) and a solenoid (17) integral with the element (2) configured so that a magnetic axial force is generated that axially moves the solenoid (17) and consequently the element (2) in both directions, so that the engaging or non-engaging position occurs between the shaft (1), the element (2) and the external body (3).

Description

[0001] LOCKING DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an innovative locking device for bicycles. In particular, this locking device is configured to be integrated inside the frame of the bicycle itself and, once activated, prevents the free rotation of the pedal cranks.

[0005] Background art

[0006] In the field of protection devices against bicycle theft, many devices used for this purpose are known in the state of the art.

[0007] Many bicycles are parked in unsupervised areas and at risk of theft. Different types of bolts are known in the state of the art for tying and immobilizing the bicycle to racks or poles in an attempt to prevent theft. Round mesh padlocks with plastic coating, padlocks of various shapes Dshaped, U-shaped, etc.), key padlocks and combination padlocks are widely used. Normally these types of locking devices are heavy objects to transport, there is a risk of forgetting them, they are exposed to bad weather and dirt during their use. Heaviness is often an important factor in choosing a device, which determines its greater safety.

[0008] Light or very light locking devices are also known which, however, are not entirely safe and / or convenient to use.

[0009] In addition to the poor reliability of certain locking devices, we must also consider the lack of skill some people have in tying their bike correctly. Locking devices incorporated into the bicycle are also known in the state of the art, thus avoiding the bicycle user from having to carry around a separate lock, operated by a key accessible from the outside of the bicycle frame.

[0010] The greatest vulnerability of traditional bicycle locking devices is given by the fact that they are visible and have easily circumvented release mechanisms: the bad guys have now developed special keys that they can use to deactivate many of these devices in a very short time, making the bicycle free from constraints and therefore easily removable.

[0011] There is, therefore, the need to create an innovative device for locking a bicycle against theft, free from the drawbacks of known devices.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to provide an innovative locking device for bicycles that cannot be easily circumvented by criminals as well as being invisible externally.

[0014] This objective, which is the aim of the present invention, is achieved by means of a bicycle locking device integrated inside the bicycle frame which, once activated, prevents the free rotation of the pedal cranks. The bicycle with the active locking device is therefore unusable and only the owner or user of the bicycle can engage and disengage the locking device using an electronic key.

[0015] Advantageously, the locking device is located inside the bicycle frame and therefore difficult to access. This does not allow easy tampering, which is only possible by dismantling the bicycle itself.

[0016] Advantageously, the locking device, once activated, has the ability to minimize the mobility of the bicycle, as it prevents the rotation of the pedal cranks.

[0017] Advantageously, the locking device is configured to be activated / deactivated extremely easily, using electronic devices, and therefore without the use of mechanical keys.

[0018] Therefore, according to the present invention, a bicycle locking device is defined, as specified in the attached independent product claim.

[0019] According to a further purpose, a bicycle provided with a locking device is defined, according to the attached independent product claim.

[0020] Further preferred and / or particularly advantageous ways of implementing the invention are described according to the characteristics set out in the attached dependent claims.

[0021] Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting implementation examples, in which:

[0023] - figure 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the locking device installed in a bottom bracket of a bicycle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] - figure 2 illustrates in a perspective view the coupling of the shaft with the toothed wheel, according to the present invention,

[0025] - figure 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the coupling of the shaft, toothed wheel and external grooved body, according to the present invention,

[0026] - figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the locking device, according to the present invention, - figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the pedals and cranks, according to the present invention,

[0027] - figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a detail of the locking device, according to the present invention,

[0028] - figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of a further detail of the locking device, according to the present invention,

[0029] - figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a longitudinal section of the bush, according to the present invention,

[0030] - figure 9 illustrates a cross-section view of a detail of the locking device inside the bush of figure 7, according to the present invention,

[0031] - figure 10 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the locking device installed in a bottom bracket of a bicycle, in a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0032] - figure 11 illustrates the coupling of the shaft in a perspective view, according to the embodiment of figure 10,

[0033] - figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of a detail of the external body, according to the embodiment of figure 10,

[0034] - figure 13 illustrates a plan view of a triangular-shaped element of the locking device,

[0035] - figure 14 illustrates an axonometric view of the triangular shaped element of figure 13,

[0036] - figure 15 illustrates a plan view of a polygonal-shaped element of the locking device,

[0037] - figure 16 illustrates an axonometric view of the triangular shaped element of figure 15, - figure 17 illustrates a cross-section view of a detail of the locking device, according to the embodiment of figure 10,

[0038] - figure 18 illustrates a cross-section view of a second detail of the locking device, according to the embodiment of figure 10,

[0039] - figures 19 and 20 illustrate a cross-section view of a third detail of the locking device, according to the embodiment of figure 10,

[0040] - figure 21 illustrates an axonometric view of the solenoid of the locking device, according to the embodiment of figure 10,

[0041] - figure 22 illustrates a further configuration of the eccentric circular shaped element of the locking device, e

[0042] - figure 23 illustrates a detail of the element in figure 22.

[0043] Detailed description

[0044] With reference to Figures 1-23, the present invention relates to a bicycle locking device 100,101 comprising: a central shaft 1,1', being rotatable around its own longitudinal axis, an engagement element 2,2' between the shaft 1,1' and a stationary external body 3,3'.

[0045] In a first embodiment of the invention the central shaft 1 is provided with external radial protuberances 31, a toothed wheel 2 with external radial protuberances 32' and internal radial protuberances 32" and a stationary external body 3, which has radial protuberances 33 on its internal surface. Said three elements, in the engaged state, are in a meshing position with each other. This meshing is implemented by means of an external command and blocks the rotation of the pedal cranks 14 (Figure 5). In the absence of the meshing of these elements, the rotation of the pedal cranks 14 is possible. To achieve the engaged state, a slight manual rotation of the central shaft 1, by rotating the pedal cranks 14 integral with the shaft 1 itself, favors the entry of the internal radial protuberances 32" of the toothed wheel 2 into the reciprocal surfaces of engagement of the radial protuberances 31 of the shaft 1, while the external radial protuberances 32' of the toothed wheel 2 always remain in mesh with the mutual engagement surfaces of the radial protuberances 33 of the external body 3.

[0046] Advantageously, the central shaft 1 is in turn solidly connected to the pedal cranks 14 and therefore to the pedals 15 according to the known technique: in this way the rotation of the pedals 15 is prevented and therefore the bicycle cannot be used by the user (Figure 5).

[0047] As shown in Figure 4 - locking device 100 assembled on the shaft 1 and in the engaged state - the locking device 100 further comprises a pair of rolling bearings 7, a first externally threaded housing bush 5, a second threaded housing bush 6 externally, an actuator device comprising a permanent magnet 16 and a solenoid 17 and electrical cables 10 (Figure 6).

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing bush 5, 6 is provided with a shoulder 5'.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the locking device 100 is housed inside the frame 12 of the bicycle, in the portion 23 connecting the central shaft 1 and the pedal cranks 14 which are in turn equipped with pedals 15.

[0050] Advantageously, the electric cables 10 are connected to an electronic actuation and control means 13 (Figure 1) also positioned inside the frame or externally for adequate protection, but with a portion reachable from the outside. Using this electronic actuation and control device, the user activates and deactivates the anti-theft device. This device can for example be operated by fingerprint with a small display located on the device, or by entering a code or even remotely using a smartphone (the latter not being part of the present invention) or even with devices communicating with NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies or electrical signal communication from the remote control when connected to the device via an electrical connector.

[0051] Advantageously, the electronic control means 13 is configured to be difficult to replicate, therefore different from common mechanical keys as well as not very visible.

[0052] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control means 13 is configured to be removable. In this way, the device can be portable and include a battery and a bicycle recognizer, for example based on NFC technology. In other words, the electronic control means 13 is configured as an electronic key that powers the anti-theft device during the arming and disarming phase. According to this configuration, the remote control is inserted into a corresponding socket housed on the bicycle frame (also equipped with NFC technology) from which the cables 10 depart: the communication of the electronic code associated with the bicycle can therefore be communicated with NFC technology or simply by cable.

[0053] The operation of the locking device 100 includes an activation phase through the sending of an electric command, powered by the battery present inside the electronic control means 13. This electronic control means 13, through the electric cables 10, reaches and activates the actuation device comprising the magnet 16 and the solenoid 17. In particular, the magnet 16 is a permanent magnet, polarized North on the entire external surface and South on the internal, or vice versa. As shown in Figure 6, the magnet 16 is stably fixed to the external body 3 and generates a radial magnetic field. The solenoid 17 is made up of a copper wire wrapped around a bush 18, free to translate on the central shaft 1.

[0054] Upon activation of the solenoid 17, as already mentioned, by means of an electric impulse generated by the electronic control means 13, the passage of electric current occurs through it. This current is perpendicular to the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 16 and generating a radial magnetic field. The combination of current and magnetic flux lines generate an axial magnetic force that pushes the solenoid 17 (since it is free to translate) towards the radial protuberances 31 of the central shaft 1, or in the opposite direction (depending on the direction of the current). In particular (figure 7), the solenoid 17 is integrally connected to the toothed wheel 2 by means of a radial protuberance 20 of the bush 18 which engages in a corresponding groove 21 of the toothed wheel 2 and is therefore able to move it longitudinally in both ways. Furthermore, it is able to remain stable in its position in the event of shaking, rotation or impacts of the entire bottom bracket and / or of the bicycle, by means of protuberances 22 (figure 9).

[0055] With the axial movement of the toothed wheel 2, this engages with the central shaft 1 and the external body 3. More specifically, while the external radial protuberances 32' of the toothed wheel 2 always remain in mesh with the mutual engagement surfaces of the radial protuberances 33 of the external body 3, the mutual engagement between the internal radial protuberances 32" of the wheel 2 and the radial protuberances 31 of the central shaft 1 is also achieved. Therefore, the shaft 1 and the wheel 2 are configured in such a way that, in a state of activation of the locking device 100, they are in a position of engagement with each other, while in a state of deactivation of the locking device 100, they are in position of disengagement between them.

[0056] The radial grooves or protuberances make the three elements integral or in any case with very low mutual angular play: central shaft 1, wheel 2 and body 3. The device 100 cannot rotate inside its housing, therefore in the bicycle frame, as both the device 100 and its housing are provided with a coaxial radial hole and which form the housing for a pin 11 (figure 1). This pin 11, which is not easily removable, inserted with interference into the two holes, creates a permanent mechanical block.

[0057] Advantageously, the locking device 100 also includes a means for locking the position of the solenoid 17 (protuberances 22 illustrated in Figure 9), to prevent the anti-theft device from being disarmed or even armed without an electric impulse by placing the bicycle in a horizontal position, causes shaking or uneven ground when the bicycle is in motion.

[0058] As illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8, the solenoid 17 is wrapped on a bush 18 (two identical half-bush) of suitable shape which, by means of the radial protuberance 20, hooks onto the toothed wheel 2 in a stable manner. This connection, made at the time of mounting the locking device

[0059] 100, remains stable for the entire life of the device. This connection is necessary in order to transmit the longitudinal movement of the solenoid 17, to the toothed wheel 2, in both directions. The bush 18, having to be mounted on the central shaft 1 provided with a shoulder 9, is made, as illustrated in Figure 8, in two half halves: these two parts, brought close to each other, envelop the central shaft 1, creating the seat for winding the solenoid 17. The two half-bush, joined and wrapped by the electric wire forming the solenoid, have an internal diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft 1 in order to be able to slide longitudinally without friction. Alternatively, a bushl8 can be used with an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the shoulder 9: in this case it is not necessary to make the bush in two identical halves, but rather in a single piece.

[0060] As illustrated in Figure 9, the bush 18 must be locked longitudinally in two positions when stationary: locking device 100 activated and deactivated. In the absence of a locking device for the bushl8, any movement or rotation of the bottom bracket or of the entire bicycle, capable of tilting the axis of rotation, can cause the bush 18 to move longitudinally and, consequently, cause the wheel to move 2 toothed (integral to it) and consequently the state of the anti-theft device varies from the active state to the deactivated state and vice versa.

[0061] To avoid this, a cylindrical element 19 with a radial axis with respect to the entire locking device 100, in addition to having two holes for the electric cables 10 coming out of the solenoid 17, is provided with two radial protuberances 22 (Figure 9). These protuberances 22 are configured to resist the passage of the bush 18 which, only following electrical excitation of the solenoid 17, manages to have enough thrust to overcome these blocks. Alternatively, the two protuberances 22 are made using an independent object separate from the cylinder 19.

[0062] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, as illustrated by figures 10-23, the bicycle locking device 101 comprising: a central shaft 1, being rotatable around its own longitudinal axis, an element 2' which is inserted between the shaft 1' and the external body 3' fixed and integral with the bicycle by means of the pin 11.

[0063] Said three elements, in the engaged state, are in a position of mutual engagement with each other.

[0064] The element 2' can be an insert with a polygonal profile circumscribed to the shaft 1': for example, a profile having an eccentric circular shape, or a square, triangular or hexagonal one, as illustrated in figures 10, 13 - 16, 23.

[0065] In particular, figure 10 shows the element 2' in an embodiment comprising four flat faces, parallel two by two and of equal length. It is inserted between the external body 3' and the shaft 1' which is free to rotate, by translation and therefore by sliding. In this configuration, as shown in figure 11, the shaft 1' has a square profile section, for a certain longitudinal length, limited to the housing diameter of the ball / roller bearings and slightly smaller in size than the internal profile of the element 2' to facilitate insertion and disconnection (reduction of sliding friction). The external body 3' also has a cavity with a square profile, the side of which is slightly longer than the side of the element 2' (figure 17) to create a seat 30: similarly to the shaft 1', the section is slightly larger compared to the dimensions of element 2' to facilitate sliding. Insertion can take place when the shaft 1' is in an angular position such that the four faces are parallel to the internal faces of the element 2'. Only in this configuration can the translation of the element 2' occur, from a first position A to a second position B, as illustrated in figure 17. Therefore, also in this second embodiment, the shaft 1' and the element 2' are configured in such a way that, in a state of activation of the locking device 101, they are in a position of engagement with each other, while in a state of deactivation of the locking device 101, they are in a position of disengagement from each other.

[0066] The translation of the element 2' inside the external body 3' is always guaranteed since, as shown in figure 12, a seat 30 is made in this external body 3', with a section equal to that of the element 2', of such length as to always have the angular locking of the element 2' inside it.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in figure 18, the element 2' can translate in the two longitudinal directions because it is integral with the solenoid 17' and the bush 18'. When a direct electric current flows through the solenoid 17', which is immersed in a radial magnetic field, it translates in one direction, pushing or pulling the element 2', depending on the direction in which the current travels. In order to integrally connect the solenoid 17' and the bush 18' with the element 2' - of whatever shape it may be - transverse extensions or appendages 18'a of the bush 18' are created (illustrated in figure 21). These appendages 18'a "embrace" the element 2', which is housed when the device is mounted and guarantee a stable connection. In fact, the 18' bush is made of highly elastic material, e.g. plastic, and element 2' can easily deform when inserted but never deforms during operation. To create the space necessary for the appendages 18'a, it is necessary to create loops in the external body 3' (detail 3'a of figure 12) by removing some material.

[0068] As shown in figures 19 and 20, in order to have the solenoid 17', the bush 18' and the element 2', integral with each other, in a stable position (with the burglar alarm triggered or disarmed), a radial protuberance 1 is created 'a towards the outside of the shaft 1' and along its entire circumference, with an external diameter smaller than the diameter of the hole of the bush 18', to guarantee normal transversal sliding.

[0069] Presumably on the bush 18' a radial protuberance 18'b is created, along its entire circumference, towards the inside, with a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft 1', to ensure its translation without contact.

[0070] In particular, the shape of the two protuberances 1'a and 18'b, and the relative diameters, causes these two elements to collide with each other when the solenoid 17' and the bush 18' move by translating on the shaft 1'. An additional force, produced by the 17' solenoid, current and magnetic field, is therefore necessary to overcome this obstacle, in both transversal directions when the anti-theft device is activated or deactivated.

[0071] With the appropriate geometries, a stop is therefore created on the translation between shaft 1' and solenoid 17' - bush 18', useful for avoiding anomalous movements: for example, with the anti-theft device triggered, folding the bicycle, the solenoid 17' and the bush 18' with their weight they could move freely, disarming the burglar alarm. Similarly, with the antitheft device disarmed and shaft 1' rotating (the user is pedaling), following a collision or an excessive lean angle of the bicycle when cornering, the solenoid 17' and bush 18' could slide and push the element 2' between the shaft 1' and external body 3' accidentally blocking pedaling. Advantageously, the proposed solution is an alternative to avoid these two anomalous operations.

[0072] In addition to this, as shown in figures 22 and 23, the element 2' can be of an eccentric circular shape, thus being element 2', profile on the shaft 1' and external body 3' of a circular shape, but with a construction axis and reciprocal translation offset with respect to the rotation axis of the shaft 1' and external body 3' inside the bicycle.

[0073] A further object of the present invention is a bicycle characterized in that it comprises at least one locking device 100, 101 according to the invention. Advantageously, the locking device 100, 101 is arranged inside the bicycle frame, in a position that is not easily visible.

[0074] In addition to the ways of implementing the invention, as described above, it should be understood that numerous further variations exist. It must also be understood that said methods of implementation are only illustrative and do not limit the object of the invention, nor its applications, nor its possible configurations. On the contrary, although the above description makes it possible for the skilled man to implement the present invention at least according to one of its exemplary configurations, it must be understood that numerous variations of the described components are conceivable, without thereby departing from the object of the invention, as defined in the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Locking device (100, 101) of a bicycle comprising:- a central shaft (1, 1'), rotating around its longitudinal axis,- an external body (3, 3'), stationary,- an element (2, 2') of engagement between the shaft (1,1') and the external body (3,3') in which the shaft (1,1') and the element (2, 2') are configured in such a way that, in a state of activation of the locking device (100,101), they are in a position of engagement with each other, while in a deactivation state of the locking device (100,101), they are in a non-engagement position from each other;- an actuation device (16, 17, 17') connected by means of electric cables (10) to an electronic control means (13), said locking device (100,101) being characterized in that the actuation device comprises a permanent magnet (16) integral with the external body (3, 3') and a solenoid (17, 17') integral with the element (2, 2 ') configured so that the electric pulse generated by the electronic control means (13) activates an electric current, in one direction in the activated state, in the opposite direction in the deactivated state, perpendicular to the radial magnetic field of the permanent magnet (16) so that a magnetic axial force is generated that axially moves the solenoid (17, 17') and consequently the element (2, 2') in both directions, so that the engaging or non-engaging position occurs between the shaft (1,1'), the element (2, 2') and the external body (3,3').

2. Locking device (100) according to claim 1, where:- the central shaft (1) is provided with radial external protuberances(31),- element (2) is a toothed wheel provided with radial external protuberances (32') and radial internal protuberances (32'),- the external body (3) provided with radial protuberances (33) on its internal surface, in which the respective radial external protuberances (32') of the wheel (2) engage with the corresponding radial protuberances (33) of the external body (3), and in which the respective radial protuberances (31) of the central shaft (1) and the corresponding radial protuberances (32") of the wheel (2) are configured in such a way that, in a state of activation of the locking device (100), they result in position of meshing with each other, while in a deactivated state of the locking device (100), they are in a position of not meshing with each other.

3. Locking device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the solenoid (17) is a copper wire wound on a bush (18) provided with a radial protuberance (20), which engages in a corresponding groove (21) of the toothed wheel (2), so as to create a stable coupling between bush (18) and wheel (2).

4. Locking device (101) according to claim 1, wherein:- the element (2') is a polygonal profile insert circumscribed to the shaft (1'),-the external body (3') has a cavity with a polygonal profile, the side of which has a length slightly longer than the side of the element (2')configured so as to create a seat (30) for the element (2'), so that, in a state of activation of the locking device (101) the element (2') is inside the seat (30) in an engaged position while in a state of deactivation of the locking device (101), is outside the seat (30), in a non-engagement position.

5. Locking device (101) according to claim 1, wherein the element (2') has an eccentric circular shape with an axis offset from the rotation axis of the shaft (1') and the axis of the external body (3').

6. Locking device (101) according to claim 4 or 5, where the solenoid (17') is a copper wire wound on a bush (18') provided with transverse appendages (18'a), which are configured to stably retain the element (2').

7. Locking device (100, 101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bush (18, 18') is longitudinally locked in two positions by a bush locking device.

8. Locking device (100, 101) according to one of the preceding claims, where in the engaged state of the locking device (100) the rotation of the pedal cranks (14) integral with the central shaft (1, 1') is blocked.

9. Locking device (100, 101) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the permanent magnet (16) is polarized North on the entire external surface and South on the internal one, or vice versa.

10. Locking device (100, 101) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is housed inside the frame (12) of the bicycle, in the connection portion between the central shaft (1, 1') and the pedal cranks (14), blocked by a pin (11).

11. Bicycle characterized in that it comprises at least one locking device (100, 101), according to one of the claims from 1 to 10, arranged in a housing inside the bicycle frame.

12. Bicycle according to claim 11, wherein the locking device (100, 101) further comprises a pin (11) arranged in a radial hole of the locking device (100, 101) and in a corresponding radial and coaxial hole of the housing, so that the locking device (100, 101) does not rotate inside said housing.

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